Private hospitals in Karnataka to discharge stable patients

Bengaluru: On Monday, the state government directed private hospitals to vacate beds occupied by non-could patients who do not require hospitalisations as the Covid cases are increasing and the availability of beds is becoming a challenge in Bengaluru.

Health Minister, K Sudhakar urged the hospitals not to admit non-serious non-Covid patients or non-emergency cases.

The move comes in with the order of the government to reserve 50% beds for Covid patients referred by the government. But, many hospitals have still not followed the order.

Private hospitals have now been asked to discharge non-Covid patients who are stable to make room for Covid patients. Sudhakar informed that the private hospitals have agreed.

The minister also asked private hospitals to remain in contact with nearby hotels and start their own Covid Care Centres (CCCs) where asymptomatic Covid patients can be monitored. The minister said, “Those who are mildly symptomatic but are anxious, must be treated by hospitals in their own CCCs.”

Private hospitals said that the bills of patients admitted during the first wave are still pending and this has created a lot of financial pressure on them.

Dr HM Prasanna, PHANA, said that a minimum of 25% of bills are pending clearance from Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust. He said, “The matter was discussed with the minister. In most cases, SAST has only transferred part payment. We do not have a grievance redressal mechanism to air our problems before SAST. This was brought to the notice of the minister.”

According to PHANA, around Rs, 30 crore payment is pending for hospitals in Bengaluru alone. SAST has decided to hold a meeting with private hospitals on April 16 to address these issues.

Shortage of Remdesivir

The state government has written a to four manufacturers for the supply of remdesivir due to its shortage.

K Sudhakar said, “Production of the drug was stopped in November when Covid cases dripped. Now there is demand but no supply. I have spoken to the manufacturers.” The representatives of private hospitals spoke to him about the shortage of supply which is causing great inconvenience. A representative of a private hospital said, “Out of 100 doses of remdesivir we order and pay for, we get only 10-20 doses. It is a tough situation.”